October signals the halfway point of the semester. For your student, this could mean the onset of anxiety regarding midterm tests and papers, excitement for fall break, and any combination of emotions surrounding the posting of midterm grades. Midterm grades are given for all 100 and 200 level classes. Your student should receive feedback in these classes by mid-to-late October. We encourage you to check out the helpful information that the Shepard Academic Resource Center recently shared in their first-year parent newsletter on what to expect at the midterm and what those academic warnings and midterm grades actually mean.

One important point to keep in mind is that “midterm” can be a misnomer. Although we are at the midpoint of the term, the midterm grade may reflect only one test or small quizzes and papers. In that case, most of the points available to be earned in the class are still up for grabs, so students have a good opportunity to raise their grades. If students receive midterm grades they are concerned with, direct them to their syllabus to see how many points are left in the semester. If they have only completed one midterm test or paper, chances are they have at least one more large-scale project, plus the final exam, which can impact their performance. If your student has concerns, encourage them to speak with their professor or reach out to the Shepard Academic Resource Center. All first-year students with a midterm grade of C- or lower will be contacted by the Shepard Academic Resource Center and invited in for an appointment.

So how can you know your student’s midterm grades? The first and best way is to ask them and then follow up with intentional questions. Questions could include:

• Have you checked your midterm grades in Self Serve?
• What grades are posted?
• If you’re a first-year student and have a grade of C- or lower, have you taken up the Shepard Academic Resource Center on their offer to meet with you?

Additionally, if your student has added you as a Proxy through Self-Serve for the student information view, you have permission to view their grades. You can access grades online via the Banner Self Serve Proxy system.

If your student is a first-year student, remember that they had four years to study as a high school student. They’ve had only about seven weeks to figure out how to study as a college student, so midterm grades may bring some surprises. The key is for students to be aware of their current grades and of the many resources that are available on campus to assist them in having a successful first semester, including the wealth of support and services offered through the Shepard Academic Resource Center.